1991 Gibson Celebrity Firebird V

guitarz.blogspot.com

So here comes the Firebird series... Some people have been saying that I'm too easy with the Gibson bashing, but I'm convinced that Gibson issued alone a third of the best guitar models in the history of electric guitar - I just regret that they stopped creating new models a few decades ago, because we'd need them to keep pulling up... 

Anyway, this is a 1991 Gibson Celebrity Firebird V, a limited edition of 200 with black finish and gold hardware - the only black Firebirds ever (black is necessary, for me it's the standard finish)... Like me you realise that the only variations in the Firebirds are about the color, because strangely this model didn't have such a great legacy as the Flying-V or the Explorer did - not to mention the ES-335 or the Les Paul (you still have the Robin Fleetwood or the Fret-King Esprit). So apart from the reverse/non-reverse thing back in the mid-60s, the number of pickups and the trem, a Firebird is a Firebird - if someone has an idea why, please share...

I understand better how this can happen, because if you want a fancy Firebird, you need to do it yourself...

Bertram

Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - now in its 9th year!

1977 Kramer 450G with alu neck

guitarz.blogspot.com

Here is an early Kramer 450G ; the Kramer series of guitars with experimental aluminium + wood necks and charateristic forked headstocks lasted from 1976 to 1985, together with the rise of Heavy Metal, and was the must-have guitar for plenty of hairy guys.

I could make a developed post about it but I would just paraphrase this site - so if you want to know more, pay them a visit! And if you're interested in metal necks and big sustain, check this post about Travis Bean and Sunn O))).

bertram

Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - now in its 9th year!

Kapa Continental XII

guitarz.blogspot.com:

We've been looking at a few vintage guitars from this "forgotten" American brand recently (see here and here) and I cannot resist showing you yet another that I have found for sale on eBay, a Kapa Continental 12-string. It features a simple, no-nonsense but elegant design.

It seems that 12-string options of production guitars were much more commonplace in the 1960s. I think these days the 12-string electric is seen as more of a niche instrument. If you've ever been out shopping for a 12-string electric (and I speak from experience), you'll know how few and far between they are on the modern-day market. It seems that eBay is your best bet if you're looking for such an instrument.

G L Wilson

Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - now in its 9th year!

Kawai Aquarius AQ 305

guitarz.blogspot.com

On eBay, this rarely seen Kawai Aquarius AQ 305 guitar is sold as a rare 60s custom model, that is utterly absurd and obviously untrue if you just look at the one uncovered humbucker in bridge position, typical of shredding guitars of the 80s. They also mention the switch that is of course useless on a one pickup guitar, unless it's a splitable humbucker like it is the case on Aquarius guitars.

And anyway the Aquarius is an early 80s model (the AQ305 is a later version of 1984 with a modified really 80s headstock design), something you can check on the ultimate Kawai Aquarius blog (this blog would be a little more ultimate with the always expected contributions of Aquarius lovers - and the blog is mine of course!).

Anyway this guitar is beautiful and modest, and the absence of the neck pickup changes a lot its line and makes it look super dynamic - I love it!

bertram

Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - now in its 9th year!

Gibson Non-reverse Firebird from 1965

guitarz.blogspot.com:

Even though it's obviously been highly "customised", has suffered a neck break and has been re-sprayed a rather vibrant shade of red, I find myself quite attracted to this Gibson Firebird from 1965 with non-reverse body styling. The seller is including the original components so the buyer who has a mind to do so could restore it to its former glory. Personally, I'd leave it as it is. It's a guitar that looks like it has a lot of history and stories to tell, and surely is more genuine than any of the plethora of ersatz "relic" guitars that are currently the popular fashion.

G L Wilson

Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - now in its 9th year!

Blue Mist Firebird VII

guitarz.blogspot.com

I've already posted here about the fabulous Gibson Firebird, but here is a special one with rare and stunning Blue Mist finish - the best I ever saw on this guitar.

This is the Firebird VII model, with three pickups and the Vibrola tail piece.

It's strange how its unusual color can change completely the feeling of this guitar, it doesn't feel all 'southern-ish' anymore, but more like East-German with its faded chrome hardware. So cool, eh?

bertram

Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - now in its 9th year!

The Claw guitar found in a tattoo parlour

guitarz.blogspot.com:
Thomas Silver writes:

Hi! I found this in a tattoo shop Somewhere in Germany. It was a combined tattoo/guitar tech shop? The guy who fixed guitar there built this one himself. I call it "The Claw"!

Me and my band, Hardcore Superstar played in the same building and one of my guitars needed a real check from a pro! As I walked in to check the tattoos there was the guy I was looking for. A guitar tech in a tattoo shop?

I did not buy The Claw and I regret it to this day. Awful guitar but it played so nice... talk about a one off!

Thanks for that, Thomas. It looks like a guitar designed for a very specific purpose, i.e. shredding. You wouldn't want to sit down playing it. One for stage performance only, I think.

Keep them coming, folks!

G L Wilson

Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - now in its 9th year!